Background:Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic disease of established immune-mediated pathogenesis. It most commonly, protractedly, and persistently involves the mucosa of the oral cavity. Antigen-specific and nonspecific mechanisms play a role in its pathogenesis, leading to T-cell accumulation in superficial lamina propria, intraepithelial T-cell migration, and keratinocyte apoptosis in OLP. Previous studies have indicated the possibility of serum lipid derangement in chronic inflammatory diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus and psoriasis, which in turn results in elevated cardiovascular disease risk. Inflammation causes disturbances in lipid metabolism such as decrease in high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) and increase in very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL)-cholesterol and hypertriglyceridemia due to direct effect on T-cell responses. Prolonged dyslipidemia, due to chronic inflammatory condition, enhances the formation of atherosclerotic plaques and thereby augments the risk of cardiovascular disease in such patients. With this background, a possible correlation between OLP and serum lipid level derangement can be anticipated. Hence, this study was taken up to probe into an association between the two.Aims:To determine and compare the serum lipid levels in OLP patients and healthy controls, to inquire into the possible association of OLP with alterations in serum lipid profile patterns, and to determine if the clinical characteristics of OLP differed with alterations in serum lipid profile patterns.Subjects and Methods:Sixty patients comprising 30 cases and 30 controls were enrolled for the study. Thirty cases of clinically and pathologically diagnosed OLP and 30 age- and sex-matched controls were subjected to blood examination for the assessment of serum lipid level, i.e., HDL, LDL, VLDL, and triglyceride. The obtained data were compared with standard values to assess any alterations of the serum lipid levels.Statistical Analysis Used:Cramer's V-test was performed for all the tests to measure association between two nominal variables. A P ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results:Dyslipidemia was observed in 13 (46.67%) cases as against 7 (23.33%) controls. Thus, a significant number of cases were found to have an associated serum dyslipidemia. However, pertaining to individual serum lipid levels in cases and controls, the association was found to be statistically insignificant.Conclusions:The current study suggested an evident association between dyslipidemia and OLP. We recommend imminent studies on a larger population to additionally substantiate a positive association between the two.

BACKGROUND: Radiographs are diagnostic aids commonly used by dentists and physicians for accurate diagnosis and proper treatment. Traditional method of radiography is still being practiced despite the invention and evolution of digitalization. Dental workplaces that practice conventional radiographic techniques must use numerous chemical solutions for X-ray film processing. All these chemical solutions necessitate specific handling and disposal techniques. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the knowledge on dental radiological waste management among dentists in Tamil Nadu. METHODOLOGY:A survey was performed for a sample size of 379 dental clinicians. A multiple‑choice response type of questionnaire was designed with close‑ended questions with a maximum choice of four responses. Responses were evaluated to extract the results. RESULTS: The result of this present study showed that total correct answers have been reported to be <50%. This showed lack in knowledge among the dentists. CONCLUSIONS: Harmful dental radiographic wastes should be carefully disposed to minimize hazards to the environment. Although there is small amount of contribution of waste generated by individual, it’s eventual accumulation plays a pivotal role in affecting the environment and human health in various ways. Thus, it becomes exceedingly significant for proper disposal of waste products from conventional radiographs in lowering its impact on the surrounding environment. KEYWORDS: Radiographic waste, lead foil waste, silver waste.

Aim: The aim of this study was to analyze the knowledge, level of awareness, and the attitude of the dental professionals towards the pandemic disease (COVID-19). Materials and Methods: This questionnaire-based survey was conducted among 295 dental professionals residing in Tamil Nadu through an online portal. The questionnaire consisted of four sections that addressed the demographic data, knowledge, awareness, and outlook of the COVID-19 disease by dental professionals. All the received responses were tabulated and the results were represented graphically. Result: The result of the study showed significant awareness among dental professionals towards COVID-19. The dental professionals needed more attention towards the precautions to be followed during this pandemic as personal protection and a safe environment are essential for a secure practice. Conclusion: This study emphasizes the role of oral health professionals in the prevention of the transmission of coronavirus among the public along with the management of dental emergencies with appropriate personal protective measures. This study also enforced the need to enrich the knowledge about infection, transmission, prevention, and control towards COVID-19. This may act as a source of information for the future pandemic crisis.

Traumatic ulcerative granulomas are self-limiting ulcero-proliferative lesions emaluating malignancy clinically, thus causing anxiety for the patient. The etiopathogenesis of these lesions are unclear though trauma is ascertained to be a cause. Riga-Fede disease is considered a variant of the same, manifesting in infants. A clinically varying case series of TUGSE and RFD is reported, and the differential diagnosis discussed here.